LAHORE: Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a major and historic step to protect forests by launching satellite-based monitoring of all forests in the province for the first time.
In a statement issued, the minister said that on the Chief Minister’s instructions, advanced high-resolution satellite systems — including WorldView-3, SPOT 6-7, Pleiades, PRSS-1, Landsat, and Sentinel-2 — are now being used to monitor forest areas, tree cover, and the overall environment in real time.
She said the live satellite feed will immediately detect any illegal activity, tree-cutting, encroachment, or unusual changes inside forest zones. The Environmental Protection Force will be able to act quickly on these satellite alerts.
The minister said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, a complete digital record of all forests is being prepared. This will help stop land tampering, illegal occupation, and unauthorized changes.
Satellite remote sensing will also allow accurate monitoring of changes on the ground and help identify areas suitable for future tree plantation.
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The new system will also help in early detection of forest fires, damage assessment, and faster action by the concerned departments. On the special instructions of the Chief Minister, the satellite data will also be used for wildlife protection and other environmental conservation measures.
Marriyum Aurangzeb called the initiative a major achievement for protecting Punjab’s environment, forests, and natural resources. She said using modern technology shows the Chief Minister’s vision for transparent, environment-friendly, and technology-driven governance.
She added that satellite monitoring will protect the province’s real forest cover and help end years of irregularities and illegal land grabbing. The Punjab government, she said, considers forest protection a national responsibility and is committed to creating a healthier environment for future generations.
